Contract Opportunity for Meeting and Event Venues

Dorset County Council is going out to tender for the provision of meeting rooms and venue hire in Dorset.

The County Council realises that it would be uneconomical for some small voluntary organisations, such as village and community halls, to participate in this electronic tender process, given the infrequent and ad hoc nature of its bookings. However, in order to continue being booked by County Council staff, village and community halls will need to be able to fulfil three criteria in future. These are:

• To accept an email order from Dorset County Council
• To send an electronic invoice
• To accept payment via BACS (Banker’s Automated Clearing Service)

Venues must be able to accept payments in arrears, as the County Council is no longer able to pay in advance for goods and services.

Village and community halls that can meet these criteria, and want to continue receiving bookings from the County Council, are asked to email their details to r.forrester@dorsetcc.gov.uk (or telephone 01305 224821).

Larger organisations, from the voluntary or commercial sectors, that wish to contract with the authority and receive regular bookings on a more formal basis will need to submit a tender. Those organisations that wish to participate in this opportunity should register on the ‘Supplying the South West’ procurement portal at www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk where clear instructions and a contact point are available. Registration is free and will provide access to other contract opportunities in the south west.